Hopefully Cuan At Rans Cilegon FC: Raffi Ahmad And The Football Business Money Round

JAKARTA - Celebrities, Raffi Ahmad and businessman Rudy Salim have officially acquired Cilegon United. The League 2 club has now changed its name to Rans Cilegon FC. The Cilegon-based club may not have a big history. But the business construction that 'promised' Raffi or Rudy was enough for Rans Cilegon FC to make their own history. An article about how the football business makes money.

The acquisition of Rans Cilegon FC was announced at an event held at the Jakarta International Expo, Kemayoran, Friday, April 23. The investment plan for Rans Cilegon FC is said to reach Rp. 300 billion. In that event, Rans Cilegon FC also announced 31 names of players and several sponsors.

For players, the names Christian Gonzales and Syamsir Alam were selected as part of the Cilegon FC squad for the upcoming 21/22 season. In addition, former Persija Jakarta midfielder Asri Akbar; senior defender, Hamka Hamzah; until the former U-19 national team player, Rendy Juliansyah, also filled the player list.

Some questionable names. Syamsir Alam, for example. Many are skeptical of the former MLS club player, DC United. It is considered that Syamsir has not competed at a professional level for too long. However, it seems that Syamsir is not that bad at business.

"We also hope that Cilegon United supporters can continue to provide support to Rans Cilegon FC," said Rans Cilegon FC Chairman Rudy Salim.

Meanwhile, Raffi Ahmad stated that he was confident in the abilities of the players who were contracted by the club. All names on the list, said Raffi, were confirmed according to the criteria of the coaching team.

"Our target is to produce the best and God willing, we can move up to League 1. Please pray," Raffi who also serves as Chairman of Rans Cilegon FC.

For sponsorship, Rans Cilegon FC has partnered with three sponsors. They are Juragan 99, King Koin, and Sas. Apart from the three, Raffi revealed that there are still about 40 sponsors who are lining up for the Cilegon FC Rans.

"After Eid, we will be reintroduced on a large scale together with sponsors who officially join us," Raffi.

This large number of sponsors cannot be separated from Raffi's appeal as a top celebrity. To maintain balance, Rans Cilegon FC stated that they would not just allow sponsors to enter.

"At first we wanted an exclusive sponsorship. Only our friends' requests turned out to be a lot of people who came. So there are 40 sponsors who are still lining up ... We also don't just want to work together, but we also see their intention to advance Indonesian football," Raffi.

Apart from the acquisition of Rans Cilegon FC by Raffi Ahmad and Rudy Salim, there is also an acquisition made by Kaesang Pangarep. The son of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has just bought a 40 percent stake in his hometown club, Persis Solo.

Head of Busness Climate and Global Value Chain Research Group LPEM FEB University of Indonesia Mohammad Dian Revindo writes the results of research on the economic and social impacts of Indonesian football competition. This research shows how promising the Indonesian football industry is.

"My latest research shows that the Indonesian football industry can create economic activity worth IDR 3 trillion a year, starting from matches in stadiums, live broadcasts on television, and sales of merchandise or knick-knacks," quoted from The Conversation, Monday, April 26. .

From an economic standpoint, the football industry has two end products: the spectacle in the stadium and the broadcast of matches on television. The first product, the circulation of money, is in purchasing tickets, transportation, renting stadiums, and costumes and knick-knacks.

Stadium viewing products do not provide very large income for the club. Before the pandemic, stadium viewing products only had an economic value of Rp. 300 billion for one major league music competition.

Meanwhile, for entertainment in television shows, the circulation of money is around the broadcasting, advertising, and information technology industries. This one is more cuan. Advertisements on television stations and club sponsors, the total value reaches IDR 1.4 trillion. This figure can increase as the quality of the competition increases.

Quoted by Pandit Football, as a comparison, in 2019, the broadcast rights price for each Indonesian League match is around IDR 42 million. Meanwhile, broadcast rights for one Premier League match reached Rp130 million.

Apart from the two things above, there is another potential way that can be developed: the football school business. Raffi has clearly said he will build a football academy. In the past, the football school business was part of the production chain for players in a club.

Now, soccer schools are more developed in business. Middle-class families have now joined as participants in this money-making activity.

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In the midst of a pandemic, when the economy is in dire straits, is it the right step for Raffi and Rudy Salim to acquire a football club? The answer, could be, yes, especially if what is being targeted is long-term benefits.

The pandemic presses the club into financial difficulties. Competition does not work due to social restrictions. This bad luck made many club owners willing to give up their assets at low prices.

This is a strategic opportunity for investors like Raffi and Rudy. In the long run, influencer involvement in a club can have a positive impact on the club.

Clubs can expand their fan base. Of course, the main target is not the traditional fans who have been infatuated with the club, but the fans outside of it. That expansion increased the club's advertising value.

Rans Cilegon FC have started their reputation with a magnet of attention. Just look at the launch of the new club which is so lively, including the gym Raffi and Rudy who arrived in a red Lamborghini Huracan. Next? We will see later.

* Read other information about SOCCER or read other interesting articles by Yudhistira Mahabharata.

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